Rattlers prepare for three-game Barrage against Bridgeport
Published on July 23, 2003 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Dallas Rattlers News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Rattlers begin a home-and-home series against the Bridgeport Barrage on Thursday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The series shifts to Rochester on Saturday, August 2nd for a 7:35 p.m. game at Bishop Kearney Field.
Rochester leads the season-series with a 1-0 after defeating the Barrage 23-13 at Bishop Kearney Field to open the 2003 season on May 31st. The 23 goals set a Rattlers' single-game record. In the record-setting performance, Josh Coffman and Gewas Schindler each registered five goals and two assists. The win extended the Rattlers' winning streak to five games against the Barrage.
The 2-6 Rattlers enter Thursday's contest in fifth place in the MLL playoff race as four teams are tied with five wins apiece. Rochester's remaining four games feature the Barrage three times and Baltimore Bayhawks once. The Rattlers have history on their side heading into the final month of the season. Rochester has never lost to the Barrage and will need to continue that streak if it has aspirations of making the 2003 Major League Lacrosse playoffs.
Rochester is currently mired in a franchise-record four-game losing streak, following last Saturday's 16-15 loss to the Boston Cannons. That night, Casey Powell led the Rattlers with a MLL record eight assists. Ryan Powell also chipped in three goals and one assist.
Casey Powell leads the team with 41 points (17+1+23) in eight games. He also leads the league in assists and is second in the MLL in points. He currently ranks eighth on the Rattlers' all-time points list. In MLL history, he ranks second in points (84+3+75) with 162.
The Barrage welcome the Rattlers after notching their first win of the season on July 19th against the Baltimore Bayhawks. In the 22-17 win, Co-Offensive Player of the Week Keith Cromwell led the Barrage with four goals (two two-pointers) and two assists. Nicky Polanco earned MLL Defensive Player of the Week accolades after holding Baltimore attackman Mark Millon to a season-low one goal.
Dan Denihan leads Bridgeport with 27 points (11+16) in seven games. Denihan has been hot as of late, notching 20 points (9+11) in the past two games. Rochester also has to keep a watchful eye on former Rochester Knighthawk Roy Colsey. Colsey is second all-time with 13 two-point goals.
Thursday's game features the top two picks from the MLL College Draft. Bridgeport picked Virginia All-American Chris Rotelli in the No. 1 slot and the Rattlers selected Kevin Cassese of Duke with the No. 2 overall pick. Cassese played four seasons at Duke University (2000-03) and was a three-time All-American. Rotelli won a national championship in 2003 and received the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, given to the best player in college lacrosse. Thursday's game will be broadcast on News Talk 950 WROC and online at www.rochesterrattlers.com. The contest will also be televised tape delayed on ESPN2 on Tuesday, July 29th at 3:00 p.m.
The Rattlers return home on Saturday, August 2nd for the final game of a two-set against Bridgeport. The Rattlers final home game is a 7:35 p.m. start at Bishop Kearney Field.
Fans can enjoy food, fun and live music at the Rochester Rattlers pregame party before every Rattler home game. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. at Bishop Kearney Field. The event is sponsored by Bud Light, Foodlink, Zweigle's, Atlantis Pools & Spas, the Democrat & Chronicle, and Massage on University.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 23, 2003
- Rattlers prepare for three-game Barrage against Bridgeport - Dallas Rattlers
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